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Friday, May 19, 2017

Longtime broadcaster Joe Simpson asked a really great question as Teheran struggled in the early innings: How much was Teheran thinking about his forthcoming retaliatory strike on Bautista as he prepared and warmed up for the game? Because drilling a hitter on purpose is not something pitchers do often.

Keep in mind: Teheran went into Thursday’s start needing performance traction. He really could have used a clean first inning, to get off to a good start, to try to pick up a team reeling from the loss of Freeman. Instead, Teheran and the Braves jump-started a rally for the Blue Jays, and by the bottom of the fourth inning, Teheran was in the clubhouse, having generated his worst start of the year.

What was gained?

Bautista may have a bruise on his thigh, but in his second plate appearance, he mashed a double; it wasn’t like he was intimidated. There was no competitive advantage gleaned. And what if the Blue Jays had retaliated, and another Braves player was hurt?

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Benches emptied in the Blue Jays-Braves game Wednesday night after Toronto slugger Jose Bautista homered to left field, stood at home plate and stared toward pitcher Eric O’Flaherty before flipping the bat away with a towering toss in Atlanta.

Jace Peterson said something to Bautista as he rounded first, and Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki was waiting for Bautista when he touched home.

No punches were thrown, but O’Flaherty didn’t mince words about Bautista’s actions.

“That’s something making the game tough to watch,’’ the pitcher said, referring to previous home run celebrations by the Toronto slugger. “It’s turned into look-at-me stuff. He hit a home run with [the Braves holding] a five-run lead and throws the bat around. I’m just tired of it. I’ve seen it from him enough.’‘....

“I’m surprised he’s ready to fight after last year,’’ O’Flaherty said with a disdainful chuckle.

Tuesday, May 02, 2017

It did not end there, however, as Dylan Bundy drilled Mookie Betts in the hip Monday in the first game of a four-game series at Fenway Park. So naturally, with Chris Sale on the mound Tuesday, this pitch happened in the first inning.

The benches were warned after Sale’s inside pitch to Machado, though Machado and Orioles manager Buck Schowalter appeared to have some choice words for the umpires and the Red Sox dugout after the incident.

The inside pitch did not set Sale back at all, however. Four pitches later, Sale struck Machado out on a 98 mph fastball to strike out the side. He went on to strike out the first five Orioles batters of the game before Jonathan Schoop flied out to center field.